South America

South American Dispatch: Juan Pablo Sorin’s Helping Hand In Hanging Up His Boots

Goal.com's Tim Sturtridge has the lowdown on Lothar Matthaus’ latest job application, FIFA’s disappointing news for Estudiantes and Juan Pablo Sorin’s retirement bash...

Nov 4, 2009 2:51:06 PM

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Juan Pablo Sorin - Argentina (Mexsport)

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It appears Lothar Matthaus is keen to keep his South American dream alive despite eventually refusing to accept the top job at Racing Club of Buenos Aires.

The latest role to catch the German’s interest is the soon to be vacant manager’s post with Peru’s national team.

The Peruvian FA will not be renewing current coach Jose del Solar’s contract at the end of the year after the nation was left propping up the South American qualifying group for South Africa 2010.

With a measly 13 points, Peru were already well out of the hunt for a World Cup place long before the qualifying round came to a close last month.

Now Matthaus, whose previous coaching experience in South America consists of a seven game stint in charge of Atletico Paranaense of Brazil, believes he is the man to turn around the fortunes of the failing country.

The World Cup winner’s agent Ricky Schanks published a statement in Peruvian newspaper El Bocon stating Matthaus’ desire to take the job.

“Lothar is still open to the idea of coming to South America,” Shanks told El Bocon. “He told me he would love to train Peru and introduce some German methods into their play.”

Similar positive statements were made in relation to the German taking over at Racing Club but with European offers in short supply South America still looks a likely option for Matthaus.

“Lothar believes that Peru has good players,” Shanks told the newspaper. “He thinks there is no reason why they cannot challenge for a place at the 2014 World Cup.”

Another name in the hat for the Peru job is Matthaus’ one time rival for the Racing Club hotseat, Uruguayan Sergio Markarian.

FIFA Block Estudiantes Loanee - Say It Ain’t Sosa

FIFA have stepped in to prevent Jose Sosa from representing Estudiantes in the Club World Cup next month.

The Argentine outfit were hopeful that the player, recently loaned from Bayern Munich, would be able to participate in the tournament.

FIFA’s complaint appears to be that the player is listed in the German’s side squad list for the Champions League and therefore ineligible to compete for another club in international competitions.

The same rule is also keeping Nelson Benitez from turning out for San Lorenzo in the Copa Sudamericana while he is on loan from FC Porto.

The news is a blow to Estudiantes who had hoped to use their former player for an all out assault on the competition which kicks off on December 9 in the United Arab Emirates.

Playing alongside FC Barcelona as well as Atlante, Al Ahli and Auckland City, the Argentine outfit hoped the returning Sosa would provide the spark the team needed to shine at the tournament.

Sosa played a key part in Estudiantes’ last domestic title when he scored in their 2006 Apertura playoff game against Boca Juniors.

A string of fine performances got the scouts from Europe interested and in early 2007 he was snapped up by Bayern Munich for a €6 million fee.

After featuring for the German outfit a fair bit in his first two years at the Allianz Arena, the 24-year-old has found his opportunities limited this season. Sosa welcomed the move back home and the chance to make his case for Diego Maradona’s World Cup squad.

Despite missing out on the FIFA Club World Cup, Sosa is all set to help his former club in their push for the Argentine title as well as in their efforts to retain the Copa Libertadores next year.

Juan Pablo Sorin’s Helping Hand In Hanging Up His Boots

Former star of the Argentine national team Juan Pablo Sorin has arranged a party in Brazil as he looks to bring down the curtain on his 15 year playing career in fine style.

The well travelled left sided player has arranged a charity event that will feature a star studded celebrity match, a concert by Brazil rockers Skank and a game between his current club Cruzeiro and Argentinos Juniors, his first professional side.

As well as a string of much loved personalities, the celebrity kick about in Belo Horizonte will also feature Enzo Francescoli, Marcelo Salas, Rai, Socrates, Celso Ayala and Freddy Rincon.

Fans attending the game are asked to bring food parcels which will be passed on to various NGOs to distribute amongst “those who need it the most.”

“It will be a party with lots of celebrities and former players,” Sorin said. “It’s going to be fun and a great way for me to end my playing career.”

Sorin hopes to sell out Cruzeiro’s 75,000 seat Estadio Mineirao and has already sold tickets for about half of the capacity.

“Everyone coming to Cruzeiro will see something that will be very different,” Sorin added. “Although it is in Brazil it will be shown on television in Argentina so I’m pleased about that.”

During Sorin’s distinguished career he represented his country at the 2002 and 2006 editions of the World Cup as well as playing for the likes of Juventus, Lazio and FC Barcelona.

In his personal life he has found time to write the book Grandes Chicos and the funds raised by the project helped to build a school and a children’s hospital.

Tim Sturtridge, Goal.com

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